It is the chance to celebrate the people who score the goals and put the goals up, the coaches and the coach drivers who all combine to make sport what it is in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards is now open for nominations for the 44th year, honouring the great and the good at every level in the Potteries.

At the top of the bill, there are big footsteps to follow.

England cricketer Danielle Wyatt and canoeing ace Adam Burgess were crowned sports personalities of the year for 2018 at a gala dinner in front of more than 400 guests at the King’s Hall, Stoke, last summer.

Wyatt was fresh from being named in the ICC Twenty20 world team of the year while Burgess had claimed his first World Cup medal in the slalom – and helped Great Britain earn team silver at the World Championships.

Danielle Wyatt and Adam Burgess are crowned female and male sports personalities of the year at the Sentinel / City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Awards at the Kings Hall, Stoke. (Image: Mark Scott)

The underdogs, unsung heroes and future stars were also rewarded, like City of Stoke hurdler Seamus Derbyshire, Norton’s world-conquering tug-of-war team and Clayton Hall Academy’s under-16 badminton national champions.

And there were inspirational stories, for communities and individuals. Norton Development has delivered football for all ages in Smallthorne while long distance runner Sue Bennett, was on the podium twice at the World Transplant Games.

Guests at the 2018 Sentinel / City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the Kings Hall, Stoke. (Image: Mark Scott)

Martin Tideswell, Editor of The Sentinel and StokeonTrentLive said: “It’s that time again when we appeal for the help of our readers in order to identify individuals and groups who deserve recognition for their work.

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the city council which has seen the Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards go from strength to strength since it was launched way back in 1975.

“It has evolved into a magnificent celebration of local talent, endeavour and selflessness and I am always delighted to see the nominations appearing in-paper and online.

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“Like any of the campaigns we organise, the Sports Awards is all about rewarding and highlighting local people who do extraordinary things which we can all be proud of.

“I would urge anyone who knows an athlete of any age, or a volunteer or coach, or team worthy of recognition to please nominate them. Let’s shine a light once again on all these local sporting heroes.”

Tom Pope, Nick Hancock, Lou Macari and John Rudge at the 2018 Sentinel / City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards at the Kings Hall, Stoke. (Image: Mark Scott)

The Sports Awards for 2019 are now open for your nominations. Candidates must either live, work, go to school or be affiliated with a club based within Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s borders.

A short list of six will be drawn up for each category and their stories will appear in the Sentinel and our StokeonTrentLive website. A panel of judges will then decide the winners.

The Chris Harper Memorial award, open to anyone in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, is chosen by the Sentinel/StokeonTrentLive editor while the Sir Stanley Matthews Footballer of the Year awards will be voted for online by fans of Stoke City and Port Vale.

Make your nominations for the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Awards

Nominations are now open for the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year awards, which highlight the achievements of individuals and teams linked to the city.

A gala dinner will take place at the King’s Hall in Stoke on Thursday, June 6, 2019 to honour those individuals and teams linked to the city who impressed our panel of judges.

Candidates must either live, work, go to school or be affiliated to a club based within the Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s borders.

But there is also the Chris Harper Memorial Award, which is open to sportsmen and women who live within the newspaper’s circulation area across North Staffs and South Cheshire.

So if you know someone who achieved great things during 2018, get in touch to nominate them.

Either call the sports desk on (01782) 864164, email christopher.travers@reachplc.co.uk, including your name and number.

Closing date for nominations is 5pm on Friday, March 1, 2019

THE CATEGORIES

TOM BRENNAN SERVICE TO SPORT

This accolade will be given in recognition for long service to a particular sport or sports clubs in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

COACH OF THE YEAR

This gong is for those who have invested time, effort and energy in an individual or team.

SPORT IN THE COMMUNITY

Individuals, teams or groups who have strived to bring communities together through sport.

JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL

This category is for athletes from any sport under the age of 18 who have achieved success in the past year.

JUNIOR TEAM

This section is open to teams who have achieved success over the past year and whose members are under 18.

SENIOR INDIVIDUAL

This category is open to athletes from any sport over the age of 18 who have achieved success in their field over the past year.

SENIOR TEAM

Presented to a team who have achieved success whose members are over 18.

SPORTING CHALLENGE

An open age award for people who have used sport to help turnaround their life.

CHRIS HARPER MEMORIAL AWARD

Individuals or teams who live, work, study or are affiliated to a club or organisation in North Staffs and South Cheshire.